LITHIUM-BASED COMPOUND NANOPARTICLE COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF FORMING THE SAME
Lithium-based compound small particle compositions, as well as methods and structures associated with the same, are provided. The particle compositions, in some cases, are characterized by having an nano-size particles. The particle compositions may be produced in a milling process. In some embodiments, the particles may be coated with a coating that may enhance certain properties of the particle composition (e.g., electrical conductivity).
1 . A method of producing a lithium-based compound particle composition, comprising:
milling lithium-based compound feed particles to form a composition including lithium-based compound milled particles having an average particle size of less than 100 nm and a contamination level of less than 900 ppm.
2 . A method as in claim 1 , wherein the average particle size is less than 50 nm.
3 . A method as in claim 1 , wherein the lithium-based compound feed particles comprise a lithium phosphate-based compound.
4 . A method as in claim 1 , wherein the lithium-based compound feed particles comprise a lithium oxide-based compound.
5 . A method as in claim 1 , wherein the lithium-based compound feed particles comprise a lithium titanate-based compound.
6 . A method as in claim 1 , wherein the grinding media have a density of greater than 8 gm/cc.
7 . A method as in claim 1 , wherein the grinding media have a size between about 120 microns and 150 microns.
8 . A milled particle composition, comprising:
milled lithium-based compound particles having an average particle size of less than 100 nm and a contamination level of less than 900 ppm.
9 . A method for producing particle compositions, comprising:
heating a lithium-based compound precursor to form a solid body comprising a lithium-based compound,
processing the solid body to form feed particles comprising the lithium-based compound; and
milling the feed particles to form a composition including lithium-based compound milled particles having an average particle size of less than 100 nm.
10 . A method for producing particle compositions, comprising:
milling a feed material comprising a lithium-based compound precursor to form a first milled particle composition including milled particles,
forming aggregates including the milled particles;
processing the aggregates to form a composition comprising a lithium-based compound; and
milling the composition to form a second milled particle composition including milled particles having an average particle size of less than 100 nm.
11 . A method as in claim 10 , wherein the processing comprises melting the aggregates to form the composition comprising the lithium-based compound.
12 . A method as in claim 10 , wherein the processing comprises reacting the aggregates to form the composition comprising the lithium-based compound.